CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Clayton County jury has convicted a man of murder in the 2023 shooting death of a 42-year-old man who prosecutors say was unarmed and eating tuna and crackers in a supermarket parking lot.
The Clayton County District Attorney’s Office says Albert Charles Wright was found guilty of malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a person under 18.
The shooting happened during the early morning hours of Aug. 25, 2023, outside a supermarket in Morrow.
When Clayton County police arrived, they found Fernando Barber, 42, lying unresponsive in the middle of the parking lot. Prosecutors said Barber had been shot five times.
According to the district attorney’s office, Barber was unarmed and eating tuna and crackers when he was killed.
Investigators obtained surveillance video from the supermarket that prosecutors say identified Wright, who was 18 at the time, as the shooter.
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Police had previously asked the public for help identifying and locating a person of interest as detectives worked the homicide investigation.
Investigators eventually learned Wright had fled Georgia and traveled to Virginia, according to prosecutors. Authorities located him there, and a Clayton County detective interviewed him before Wright was returned to Georgia to face charges.
The trial began Oct. 26 and ended Oct. 30 with the jury’s guilty verdict.
Clayton County District Attorney Tasha Mosley said she hopes the conviction brings some measure of peace to Barber’s family.
“Our thoughts remain with Mr. Barber’s family, who have endured unimaginable pain and loss,” Mosley said. “I hope this verdict brings some measure of closure and peace to them.”
Sentencing for Wright is expected on Nov. 17.